New code to make buildings energy-efficient in Hyderabad

The move comes at a time when the GHMC is looking to do away with the manual building approval system, which according to officials, encouraged corrupt prac tices in the issuance of building permits.TNN | May 06, 2016, 13:30 IST

HYDERABAD: Starting next month, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will begin enforcing the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) to ensure efficient use of power. The implementation of the code will begin with the granting of permissions to 25 new buildings -both government and private commercial complexes.

The move comes at a time when the GHMC is looking to do away with the manual building approval system, which according to officials, encouraged corrupt practices in the issuance of building permits.

“Once finalized and launched, the online approval system will make the process of building approval easy and straightforward for real estate developers and builders. However, that is not all, we are also incorporating the ECBC system, which will help us come up with cleaner and energy efficient buildings with in the city,“ said GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy, while addressing the media at the Administrative Staff College of India.

The idea is to make the city a model for others to emulate.While the decision to adopt the new building code was taken in 2014, it will finally be enforced in the city from June 1. “According to the guidelines given under this code, all the buildings would have to comply with the guidelines of ECBC, which are aimed at using electricity and other natural resources judiciously,“ said mayor Bontu Rammohan.

Some of the green changes that the new norms cover include lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

Under the new rules, builders will have to ensure that there is proper heat transfer across structures and also ensure minimal heat gain during summer, thereby reducing the energy consumption for air-conditioning. With regard to lighting, the code states that builders will have to opt for energy-efficient lighting mechanisms like using sodium lamps and CFL bulbs to reduce consumption.

The demand for office space within GHMC limits has grown manifold in the last decade according to officials. “The new rules will apply to all buildings that have a built up area of 2,000 square metres or higher,“ said Rammohan.

The aim of implementing this code is to addressing the important aspect of energy conservation, as roughly 30 per cent of the country's electricity is consumed by commercial constructions.

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However, the environment ministry notification specifies that the prior green approval exemption will not be applicable for projects, including industrial sheds, educational institutions, hospitals and hostels.